My life is peaceful and calm and full of love.

Airplanes are no longer wishes. They are symbols of how far I've come and how glad I am to have my feet planted firmly in a happy home. (8/8)

I married a wonderful man who treats my kids as his own. I've been in therapy since I left. I'm still unpacking all the ick I lived in for 40 years even after being free for this long.

I'm on vacation by an airport. I'm watching the planes go by, content to remain in my happy little life. (7/8)

I haven't spoken to my family in 13 years. They still welcome him into their home so they aren't safe for me. They'll never admit they were wrong, that they chose the monster over their own daughter. They will never admit they were duped.

I went on to raise my children and thrive. (6/8)

It was also the beginning of his campaign to destroy me. He systematically took everything from me. My parents and siblings believed his lies and sided with him. They tried to help him take the kids away from me. My parents didn't like him before I left him but they chose him in the divorce. (5/8)

After a particularly horrible fight (him yelling and me cowering and trying to calm him down), I knew in my bones that if I stayed with him, he'd eventually kill me.

I left that night. I took the 3 kids and hid at a friend's house who he didn't know.

That was the beginning of the end. (4/8)

I never did fly away. We had another baby. We lived our lives. I was more and more miserable every year, never understanding why he hated me so.

He wasn't capable of love. It was never me, although he convinced me it was all my fault. (3/8)

Back then I didn't have the words for abuse. He never hit me, so I wasn't being abused. I often asked myself if it was bad enough to leave. I found, later, that if you're asking yourself that, the answer is always "YES!" (2/8)

Just finished your book today. Absolutely wonderful! Can't wait for more!

Everyone in this country should get to have this type of Healthcare. No one should worry about going to the ER because of money.